(NewsUSA) - Gaming has transformed over the past three decades. In 1999, fewer than one in five players reported playing online, according to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), and today, nearly 90 percent do. As gaming has become increasingly social, it has evolved into a digital third place where people come together to play, connect, and build community.

The ESA also found that 67 percent of Americans ages 5 to 90 play video games at least an hour a week, and across the country, friendships and relationships that begin over a game controller are increasingly spilling off the screen and into people's lives. Discord has become the digital living room where those friendships actually live and grow — where players text, talk, and video chat, both during games and in the stretches between them. Discord broadens the cultural role of “digital third places” beyond a single game to a space where all your gaming friends play.

Discord, which is free to join, is different from other platforms — there are no algorithmic feeds, no broadcasting of your life, and no endless scrolling. People connect through 1:1 Direct Messages, Group Direct Messages, and Servers, which are invite-based communities organized around a game, a friend group, or a shared interest. Activity happens in small, private spaces among friends, where high-quality streaming and voice chat across devices let people hang out together as naturally as if they were in the same room. Discord now counts more than 90 million daily active users worldwide, and gaming remains the center of gravity: 89% of Discord users play games. 

Gene Ludington from Pennsylvania has gamed with the same group of friends for more than 20 years. The tools have changed, but the group hasn't. “We can voice chat, video chat, text, share memes, videos, pics, and gifs, or stream what we're most excited about,” he said. For his circle, Discord has “become the communication glue that holds us all together.”

That glue is critical for maintaining friendships across distances. And nobody understands this better than veterans. Stack Up, a nonprofit founded in 2015 to support military veterans through gaming, has built its community on Discord — with weekly game nights, town halls, and a peer support channel staffed around the clock by trained volunteers. Because the community spans time zones, someone is always available to connect.

Video games offer a shared activity and a low-pressure reason to keep showing up, similar to a Saturday softball league or a weekly pickup game. According to research by CivicScience, adults who play team sports report better social and mental health outcomes than those who play individually, and similarly, a recent study from researchers at Imperial College London found that gamers feel less alone than non-gamers.

It’s no wonder that gaming has grown to look so much like traditional athletics. When the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) formed in 2016, only seven colleges and universities had varsity esports programs. Today, NACE supports 300 programs across the country, helping students compete, earn scholarships, and build lifelong friendships with teammates and the broader esports community.

The bonds created through gaming often transcend the game itself. When Faith Hobart from Kansas City, Kansas got married last January, many of the guests in the room were people the couple had first met through a video game.

Hobart and her husband connected on January 1st, 2021, and added each other on Discord. It was there that they spent hours talking about their futures, playing together, and ultimately falling in love. Four years to the day later, they married, and many of the people in the online community they'd built were there in person. “They saw our relationship grow from friends, to developing crushes, to dating, getting engaged, and finally getting married,” she said.

The guests weren’t there because of a game. They were there because conversations that started on Discord became a community, then friendships, then — for the Hobarts — a marriage.

Getting started is easy. Discord is free to download on phones, consoles, or desktops, and setting up an account only takes a few minutes. From there, you can connect with your friends that you already game with, or join an existing Server built around the games and interests you love. Joining a Server takes just one click — no matter if it's a link a friend sends you, or one you find by browsing Discord's directory of communities. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with your longtime crew or make your first gaming friend, the front door to your digital third space is open. 

(NewsUSA) - Modern conflict goes beyond troops and physical weapons. Warfare tactics now include cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, election interference, and economic coercion.

Dr. Teija Tiilikainen, director of the European Center of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE), outlined hybrid security threats in an interview on NatSec Tech, a podcast produced by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) covering emerging technology and national security.

Hybrid CoE defines hybrid threats as "a mixture of different tools used against democracies, against the democratic principle, against democratic practices in our societies to undermine trust in government," Tiilikainen said — tools used by authoritarian regimes to shore up their own power. What sets them apart: "The whole logic of these threats is to surprise us unprepared." The toolkit spans cyber and information operations, election interference, instrumentalized migration, and attacks on critical infrastructure from energy grids to data cables.

Artificial intelligence has raised the stakes. AI "is a huge tool to affect the so-called cognitive sphere, our understanding of reality," Tiilikainen said. When threat actors deploy it ahead of elections or on social media, "we don't know with whom we are communicating." Increasingly, "we don't necessarily recognize the real actors from AI produced actors." AI may eventually help defenders, she noted, but for now attackers hold the advantage.

Tiilikainen singled out the information space. In the Russian war against Ukraine, "How do we see the war, who is the victim, who is the responsible actor? This tends to vary not only in Europe, but also outside Europe, very much due to efficient and successful Russian disinformation campaigns." Information is "a very dangerous tool in the hands of hybrid threat actors," she said, amplifying every other tool they use.

Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are the principal state actors, she said, often working through proxies: criminals, hackers, extremists, and unwitting citizens. Attribution is "very, very difficult," and "this is one of the assets that the threat actors are using."

Countering them "all starts with our broad societal resilience," Tiilikainen said. More proactive measures include international sanctions and publicly calling out responsible states. "China, for instance, is still quite keen on maintaining its reputation as a responsible international actor," she said.

Education matters too. Tiilikainen pointed to the Nordic and Baltic states, where an informed public helps small countries defend themselves, and to Ukraine and Taiwan, which have used transparency to expose and correct disinformation. The private sector must also engage, since much critical infrastructure is privately owned.

Hybrid threats are dangerous because they are hard to see, and they test vulnerabilities with larger conflict in mind. "We have the old saying that this is about preparing the battlefield," she said. "From that point of view the threat to democracies can be very existential."

Progress has been made — "I see resilience being strengthened" — but more is needed to prepare for "the malign use of modern technologies." Failure to do so, she warned, would "weaken the credibility of the democratic principles."

Visit scsp.ai to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - As millions of Americans turn to social media, online videos and AI-driven platforms for health information, the Health In Hand Foundation is launching a new resource to help consumers navigate an online environment where not everything they see is real. 

Health In Hand today released “How to Spot an AI-Generated Health Video,” providing practical, accessible guidance for evaluating health videos and claims before liking, sharing, following advice, or making a purchase. 

Why Evaluating Online Health Information Matters

The resource comes as Americans increasingly seek health information online. According to recent research, more than one-third of Americans get health information from social media and 1 in 5 use AI chatbots. At the same time, more than half of consumers say it has become difficult to know which sources to trust.

As AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated, some videos are designed to resemble healthcare professionals, medical experts, or trusted wellness influencers, making it increasingly difficult for consumers to distinguish credible information from misleading or fabricated claims.

The new Health In Hand resource is intended to support safer, more informed self-care decisions, encouraging consumers to pause and evaluate the information they encounter rather than relying solely on how professional or convincing a video appears. 

"Consumers today are navigating a health information environment unlike anything we've seen before. An AI-generated video can look professional, sound credible, and spread to millions of people within hours," said Mary Leonard, Executive Director of the Health In Hand Foundation. 

"Health In Hand is committed to helping consumers separate fact from fiction,” Leonard added. “Our goal is not to make people distrust everything they see online. It's to give them practical tools to ask the right questions, verify sources, and make informed self-care decisions with confidence for themselves and their families."

Think Before You Trust: Three Questions Every Consumer Should Ask

The tool starts with three simple questions consumers can use to evaluate online health content.

Does the video look or sound artificial? Strange blinking, unusual mouth movements, robotic speech, distorted background text, or visuals that appear unnaturally smooth can sometimes indicate AI-generated content. However, Health In Hand emphasizes that appearance alone is not enough to determine whether information is trustworthy.

Can you verify who is speaking? Consumers should look for a real name, professional credential, or organization and determine whether the person can be verified outside social media. A clinic, hospital, or professional organization website may provide useful confirmation.

What is the video trying to sell? Consumers should be cautious when a video promotes a miracle cure, unrealistic results, or a single urgent solution. Health claims should be compared with information from trusted health sources.

Five Red Flags That a Health Video Deserves a Second Look

Next, the tool highlights five red flags consumers should watch for. Among them are videos that look unnaturally perfect, with faces, voices or movements that seem slightly off despite polished production. Another warning sign is an apparent expert who relies on staged visual cues, such as a white coat, generic certificates, or vague titles, to create a sense of authority without providing verifiable credentials.

Consumers should also be cautious of health messages that promise a cure, suggest replacing a current medicine, or guarantee dramatic results with little or no evidence. Urgency is another potential red flag. Statements such as “limited time” or “act now,” particularly when paired with an immediate purchase link, can be pressure tactics rather than indicators of trustworthy health information.

Finally, consumers should take a closer look at dramatic before-and-after results. Claims involving rapid weight loss, instant improvements, or seemingly perfect transformations may be edited, exaggerated, or fabricated.

Helping Consumers Navigate the Future of Digital Health Information

As artificial intelligence continues to transform how health information is created, shared, and consumed, Health In Hand is expanding its efforts to help consumers evaluate what they see online and make safer, more informed self-care decisions for themselves and their families. 

The Foundation's new tool is part of its broader mission to provide trusted, evidence-based self-care education while helping consumers recognize and avoid misleading health claims online. The "How to Spot an AI-Generated Health Video" tool is available now at HealthInHand.org.

(NewsUSA) - A great night's sleep doesn't always require a luxury hotel reservation. Increasingly, homeowners are discovering that one of the simplest ways to create a more comfortable sleep environment is by upgrading the quality of their bedding.

Premium cotton sheets have long been a hallmark of upscale hotels, offering a soft, breathable feel that helps promote restful sleep. Today, that same experience is becoming more accessible through thoughtfully crafted bedding designed for everyday use.

One example is the Bedsure PureWoven™ Giza Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set, created for people who want to enjoy the comfort and elegance associated with luxury hospitality. Made from 100% authentic hand-picked Giza long-staple Egyptian cotton, the sheets are verified through BV-certified batch No. 5625021-0005 and official CEA accreditation (Certificate No. 1657), giving shoppers added confidence in the authenticity of the material.

The smooth sateen weave delivers a silky feel while remaining durable enough for everyday living. Unlike many fabrics that wear quickly, the stronger long-staple cotton fibers help resist pilling, maintain their vibrant appearance through repeated washing, and provide lasting comfort over time. The collection was also recognized with the iLUXURY AWARDS 2026, highlighting its combination of quality craftsmanship and long-term value.

Comfort goes beyond softness. The breathable sateen construction naturally promotes airflow, helps wick away moisture, and regulates temperature throughout the night. Whether you're a warm sleeper or simply looking for year-round comfort, the fabric is designed to stay comfortable across changing seasons without feeling overly warm or too cool.

For households with pets, durability can be just as important as comfort. The sheet set's snag-resistant weave offers additional resilience against everyday wear, including pet claws, making it suitable for primary bedrooms, guest rooms, or any sleep sanctuary throughout the home.

The bedding is also made with wellness in mind. It is OEKO-TEX® certified (BJ025 231038) and produced without added fabric softeners. Instead, a physical air-tumbling process creates a crisp yet soft feel that becomes even softer with continued use. These qualities also make the set a thoughtful gift for weddings, housewarmings, or other special occasions.

Practical design features further enhance everyday convenience. The fitted sheet includes an 18-inch deep pocket that fits mattresses up to 16 inches thick, along with 360-degree elastic and directional labels that help make bed-making quicker while keeping the sheets securely in place.

Creating a luxurious bedroom doesn't necessarily require a complete makeover. Sometimes, upgrading to high-quality bedding can make a noticeable difference in comfort, helping transform an ordinary bedroom into a relaxing retreat inspired by the world's finest hotels.

The Bedsure PureWoven™ Giza Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set is currently available on Amazon. During the August 10–23 promotion, shoppers can save up to 44%, making it an ideal time to experience luxury hotel-inspired bedding at home.

Learn more and shop the collection here.

(BookTrib) - “Redemption Initiative: The Good Samaritan” by C.L. Morrissey

Once, Desi Delgado was exactly the kind of criminal society feared: violent, impulsive and consumed by addiction. Eight years in prison changed the course of his life, but not the weight of his past. Now a successful businessman and co-founder of a halfway house, Desi is determined to keep others from repeating his mistakes. When a violent crime strikes close to home, he creates Redemption Initiative, a covert program that uses immersive technology to force offenders to confront the full reality of the harm they've caused. 

But can accountability be engineered? Can the process unlock the innate ability to be reformed? Can true remorse be measured and verified? In “Redemption Initiative: The Good Samaritan,” C.L. Morrissey blends crime fiction with provocative moral questions, exploring the uneasy space where punishment ends, redemption begins, and justice itself is reimagined.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/redemption-initiative.

“The Realm of Ruin” by Carson Zan Hughes

In “The Realm of Ruin,” exile is not an escape from the world — it is the place where the unwanted are sent to be forgotten. For Nyla, a fiercely loyal hunter torn from her family, and Jester, a bold teenager who refuses to surrender, the Realm is a brutal wasteland of monsters, outlawed magic and secrets no one dares name. 

After barely surviving an attack on their village, they are drawn into a monster-hunting guild led by Dice, a leader whose easy smile hides hard-won experience. But each hunt reveals that the Realm is more than a prison. It is a crucible, built to test, break and transform those trapped inside it. Dark, fast-paced and filled with danger, Carson Zan Hughes’ fantasy adventure asks what survival costs — and what someone must become when the world has already cast them aside. 

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4eE87O4.

“Casey Dancer: A Memoir About Dating, Stripping, and a Little Hot Yoga” by Kristin Casey

At 39, nearly a decade sober and struggling through a real estate slump, Kristin Casey returns to the work she once thought she had left behind: stripping. To her surprise, stepping back into Austin’s clubs restores not only her finances but also a sense of confidence, purpose and control.

Then she meets Lalo, a married former drug dealer whose charm and volatility pull her into an intense relationship. As romance, financial pressure and old emotional wounds collide, Casey begins confronting the patterns that have shaped her choices — especially her attraction to unavailable men and her fear of depending on anyone.

Interspersed with candid entries from her popular stripper blog, “Casey Dancer” is unfiltered, sexually frank and frequently very funny. Hot yoga becomes both refuge and metaphor as Casey works toward greater strength, firmer boundaries and a life defined on her own terms. It is a memoir about sex work, sobriety and the difficult practice of becoming fully yourself.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4aG3jXj. 

“What the Trees Remember” by Abigail Cutter

At 93, Dora Minor has spent most of her life atop Horseshoe Mountain, carrying secrets nearly as old as the trees surrounding her home. When Hurricane Camille unleashes a catastrophic flood across Nelson County in 1969, Dora faces the storm with only her two dogs — and the memories she has long avoided.

Her story reaches back to post-Civil War Virginia, where she is raised by her fiercely independent grandmother Alma in a Quaker family committed to racial equality. When Dora’s father helps open a school for Black children, the family becomes a target of violent resistance. Loss, betrayal and a horrifying act Dora witnesses as a child shape the isolated woman she becomes.

Moving between Dora’s coming of age and the night of the flood, Abigail Cutter’s deeply researched historical novel explores racial violence, moral courage and the weight of silence, while finding resilience and hard-won hope in the natural world.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4vPefto. 

(NewsUSA) - As the summer winds down, many children look forward to the back-to-school season and the excitement of a new school year. However, for other children, transitioning to structured routines, managing academic pressures, and the fear of fitting in can cause significant anxiety. In fact, a recent survey found that 64% of children's worries are school-related.

According to cognitive neuroscientist Robert Alexander, Ph.D., assistant professor of counseling and wellness at New York Institute of Technology, “our brains are prediction machines, and our nervous systems constantly try to anticipate what will happen next, so that we can respond appropriately and stay safe. The beginning of a new school year disrupts many of those predictions all at once—old routines are broken, expectations and environments change, children are presented with new classrooms, teachers, classmates, and other daily adjustments.”

While some nervousness during transitions is developmentally normal, for children who are already prone to anxiety, returning to school can be especially overwhelming. Alexander reminds parents to know the signs, which may not always be obvious.

“Children often express anxiety indirectly,” he says, noting that common signs can include changes in sleep, irritability, difficulty concentrating, appetite changes, clinginess, or social withdrawal. As he explains, the best way to reduce anxiety is to prepare.

“Preparation helps make things more predictable and allows us to adapt to changes. Visiting the school, discussing routines, and gradually re-establishing bedtimes before classes begin can all help children feel more secure. Sleep, in particular, plays a major role in emotional regulation and stress resilience,” says Alexander.

As parents often set the emotional tone of the household, they should be aware that their reactions also matter. “Children often look to adults for cues on how they should respond to a situation. Responding with calm confidence can send a powerful message of safety,” Alexander explains.

In addition, children can practice simple calming techniques, such as slow and controlled breathing, to address overwhelming feelings in the moment. Alexander recommends a simple pattern of inhaling for four seconds and exhaling for six. However, as children head back to school, he advises parents to avoid fully eliminating their child’s anxiety, as a healthy amount can encourage resiliency.

“Confidence grows through small wins. Knowing that you can handle a situation can help you deal with future situations more effectively,” Alexander says. “When children successfully introduce themselves to a new friend, find their new classroom, or survive their first week at a new school, they learn that they are capable in those environments. But children who are prone to anxiety may need some extra help moving through those feelings successfully.”

Alexander is one of many New York Tech faculty members lending their expertise to help tackle real-world challenges. Visit nyit.edu to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - The back-to-school season isn't just for school-age children. For many families with preschoolers, late summer is a time to evaluate early learning programs and consider which experiences will best support their child's growth during some of the most important years of development.

Increasingly, infant and toddler parents are looking beyond traditional academic outcomes and seeking environments that build the foundational skills that support future learning. Researchers at the Harvard Graduate School of Education describe six foundational skills – creativity, critical thinking, curiosity, self-regulation, perspective-taking and early identity – as essential building blocks for lifelong learning and healthy development. Those skills are often strengthened through enrichment experiences that encourage young children to explore, create, communicate and solve problems.

Built into the day, designed for learning

While parents want their children to have access to enrichment classes and experiences, they also need those learning opportunities to fit into their families’ busy schedule. They’re looking for full-time day care options such as The Crème School, a premium provider of early learning programs, that build enrichment directly into their children’s day.

Alongside a research-led core curriculum, children ages two through five participate in Crème's four daily, 30-minute enrichment experiences in dedicated enrichment classrooms. STEM, Spanish, music and art extend classroom learning by giving children additional opportunities to build and apply new skills through engaging, hands-on experiences. Guided by their own research-based curricula, these enrichments reinforce the very skills Harvard researchers say matter most. 

Learning Through Exploration, Creativity and Discovery

• STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) encourages children to ask questions, investigate, experiment and solve problems through hands-on exploration. These experiences nurture curiosity and critical thinking. Research shows that early, inquiry-based experiences lay the foundation for later scientific thinking, problem-solving and innovation. 
• Music engages children in singing, movement, rhythm and instrument play. These experiences support creativity while strengthening memory and attention and has been linked to improvements in early language skills and executive functioning.
• Visual arts encourage children to create, experiment, and express themselves through drawing, painting, sculpting, and other open-ended experiences. Along the way, children develop creativity, fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities and confidence in expressing their ideas.
• Spanish introduces children to a second language during a key developmental window, helping build communication skills. Research suggests that children who are exposed to multiple languages can develop stronger perspective-taking and communication abilities, skills that support learning and social development.

“Our enrichment classes do more than expose children to new subjects,” said Stephanie Sturdevant-Ward, vice president of operations for The Crème Schools. “They help develop the habits that support learning throughout life, such as asking questions, working through challenges, collaborating with others and approaching problems with curiosity and confidence.”

As families consider school choices for their young learners, it’s worth asking not only what children will learn, but how they'll learn it. When enrichment is woven into the daily curriculum, as it is at Crème, children have more opportunities to grow curiosity, creativity and the foundational skills that support future learning and development.

Families interested in learning more about The Crème School’s programs and their daily enrichment rotations can visit CremedelaCreme.com 

(NewsUSA) - Agentic artificial intelligence (AI) refers to AI systems that can operate autonomously with minimal human oversight. Unlike existing AI systems that generate responses based on prompts, evolving agentic AI can independently set goals, create plans, and execute multi-step tasks.

“AI is beginning to help build better AI,” according to experts at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence.

If a self-accelerating loop in which AI capability improves and AI development compounds, the pace of capability development will far outrun projections, said Ylli Bajraktari, president of the SCSP, in a recent newsletter about agentic AI.

“An agent that can navigate complex bureaucratic systems, identify exploitable vulnerabilities, and act without leaving a clear attribution trail represents a qualitative expansion of adversarial capability,” Bajraktari emphasized.

In terms of global security, the United States should be aware that our adversaries will deploy agentic AI systems in areas where governance is weakest. Agentic AI systems could be used for coercion, espionage, and influence.

Contrary to what many policymakers might think, effective governance of agentic AI involves not the AI model that is the engine, it is the scaffolding built around it, the SCSP experts explained. This scaffolding includes:

Connectors to bridge the model to real-world infrastructure, such as email, booking systems, and financial platforms.

Memory that allows the AI system to learn and adapt across interactions over time.

Planning capabilities that break large objectives into smaller tasks, identify failure, and navigate obstacles without human intervention.

Permission structures that define what the system can access and act upon.

Guardrails that determine what the system will refuse to do (such as spending limits or human sign-offs).

Accountability remains a challenge, and governance is falling short in three key ways, according to SCSP. First, responsibility is untraceable when using AI; there is not way to determine who authorized what if an AI agent is acting on your behalf. In addition, current frameworks don’t ask whether an AI agent performed a task safely or whether it caused harm, only that the task was completed. Finally, agentic AI builds personal profiles that may include data more sensitive than an individual wants by accumulating information on patterns of behavior, preferences, and inferences.

Despite these challenges, agentic AI is not a technology to be feared or deferred, the SCSP experts emphasize. Institutions that prioritize understanding, shaping, and governing agentic AI will determine their own competitive position, and also impact the character of the environment in which agentic AI operates globally.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more about how the United States should pursue effective governance of agentic AI.

(BookTrib) - “Day of Wrath” by Otho Eskin

There are secrets within the Church. Some are worth killing for.

When Washington, D.C. homicide detective Marko Zorn arrives at the city’s cathedral, he finds the cardinal archbishop dead beneath a high balcony, a tarot card clutched in his hand. What first appears to be a single murder soon opens onto something far darker: an ancient cult devoted to Holy Death, a trail reaching back to Mexico and a conspiracy threatening the Vatican itself.

With the pope dying and a conclave approaching, Marko has only days to uncover who wanted the archbishop silenced — and why. Complicating matters is his sharp-tongued new partner, Saoirse Richmond, who distrusts both his methods and his judgment.

Fast, sly and steeped in history, “Day of Wrath” sends its unconventional detective into a world of ritual, power and buried secrets where faith can be weaponized and the past holds the key to a modern threat.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/day-of-wrath.

“Marek of the Mists: The Sword of the Moon Maiden” by Corey E. King

In the mist-shrouded kingdom of Storm’s End, Marek has built a life among the Wolfe Gypsies, the clan that raised him after he was found abandoned. A gifted swordsman with a talent for spectacle and survival, he expects danger to come from challengers in the ring — not from an ancient evil gathering beyond the coast.

When a monstrous attack reveals that darker forces are moving, Marek is drawn into a quest involving a shattered celestial blade, a vanished village, a moon goddess and the demon Vuoto, whose followers are preparing for war. Joined by loyal friends, a wolf-husky and the woman he loves, Marek must decide whether he is merely an orphan or the champion Storm’s End has been waiting for.

Fast-paced, illustrated and rich with banter, battles and found-family bonds, “Marek of the Mists” launches a fantasy saga of courage, identity and light against darkness.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/marek-of-the-mists.

“Allegory” by Jack Martin Haley

Set along the Yukon River, “Allegory” follows Fred, a Korean War veteran and once-respected Gwich’in elder whose life has narrowed under the weight of illness, alcohol and public shame. Once known as Sarge, he was a master fish wheel builder and a proud descendant of Shahnyaatii, the legendary “Christian Grandpa.” Now, younger men mock him, and even Fred struggles to hold on to the dignity he once carried so naturally.

When a cancer diagnosis makes it clear that his days are numbered, Fred turns back toward the river — and toward the old fish wheel that once gave him purpose and helped feed his village through the long winters.

With the aid of Jere, a young man preparing for the ministry, Fred begins a final act of restoration and redemption that becomes both practical and mythic. Rooted in Gwich’in tradition and Christian faith, “Allegory” is a resonant story of one man’s last chance to be remembered rightly.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/allegory-epiphany.

“My Hip-Hop Wiz: A Journey Through Rhythm, Resilience, and Self-Discovery” by Innton Tagger

Innton Tagger puts a bold, beat-driven spin on a beloved classic in “My Hip-Hop Wiz,” a high-energy reinvention of “The Wizard of Oz” rooted in hip-hop culture, humor and resilience.

Dorothy Jones is no Kansas farm girl. She’s a self-made real estate mogul whose life is upended when a supernatural storm sweeps her and her loyal Rottweiler, Governor, into a strange new world. Along the way, she joins forces with a sharp-tongued Scarecrow, a bionically rebuilt Tinman and a powerful Lion still learning to master his fear.

As music, magic and danger collide, Dorothy’s journey becomes less about finding a way home than recognizing the strength, wisdom and courage she already carries. Filled with swagger, pop-culture references and plenty of heart, “My Hip-Hop Wiz” celebrates the power of rebuilding after hardship. An accompanying soundtrack (on Apple and Spotify) extends the experience beyond the page, bringing the story’s rhythm and inspiration to life.

Purchase at https://a.co/d/08r160GZ.

(NewsUSA) - The magic of Christmas doesn’t wait until December—and neither does Marine Toys for Tots. Nationally recognized as America’s flagship children’s Christmastime charity, Toys for Tots also remains committed to delivering hope, joy, and comfort to children in need all year long. With summer underway, July is the perfect time to join Toys for Tots’ Be a Summer Santa initiative and spread Christmas magic when it’s least expected—and often most needed.

While Christmas in July may seem early to some, for children and families facing financial hardship, it can be a lifeline. Bringing the joy of the holiday season to children year-round takes planning, generosity, and a shared commitment to ensuring every child experiences moments of happiness, no matter the season.

Toys for Tots extends its mission during the summer months by delivering toys, books, and essential items to children when support is often hardest to find. Through the Program’s Be a Summer Santa initiative, generous supporters help make these summer distributions possible—bringing reassurance, joy, and meaningful moments to children long after the holiday season has passed.

That Summer Santa spirit came to life during a recent distribution event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, hosted by Storehouse of Community Resources, a redistribution partner of Good360. During the summer months, children living in low-income communities often experience the “summer gap” in resources and enrichment, and year-round donor support is essential to continue bridging that gap. At the event, Toys for Tots provided two brand-new toys each to 1,600 children. For many, these gifts were their first new toys all summer.

For families attending, the impact went far beyond material items. One mother of three shared that her children had been asking all summer when they could do something fun, and she had been struggling to stretch her budget. When she realized each of her children could pick out two new toys, she became emotional, saying, “I didn’t think they were going to get anything new this summer. This means more than you know.” Her daughter clutched her new game and doll tightly for the rest of the evening—a small but powerful reminder of what these moments mean.

“Summertime distributions like these are not about recreating Christmas morning, but about extending its meaning,” said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Being a Summer Santa means creating moments of happiness during times of uncertainty, strengthening communities, and reminding families they are not alone.”

Summertime distributions are made possible by supporters who choose to give beyond December. By embracing the role of Summer Santas, supporters help Toys for Tots meet children’s needs whenever they arise—working through strong nonprofit partnerships across the Nation to deliver hope, joy, and the lasting message that every child matters.

Join Toys for Tots’ Be a Summer Santa initiative and help deliver Christmas in July magic to disadvantaged children nationwide. To learn more about Toys for Tots or to donate, visit toysfortots.org.